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Kitchens are an essential part of your home, and we find more often than ever that clients want to design around social gatherings, daily activities, or even a place for the kids to do their homework. It’s to keep up with the latest kitchen must-haves...

There are numerous design elements you will consider whilst planning a house extension, many in relation to the interior layout. The roof design can make one of the strongest impressions upon the atmosphere of the extension so choosing between a pitched and flat roof is...

We have recently completed some wonderful new projects, which include a variety of ground floor extensions and loft extensions. Our clients are so happy with the finished product, we thought we’d give you a run through of our latest four so you can understand what...

Kitchens are no longer just spaces for cooking. They have become a space for social gatherings, a hub for day to day activities or even a place for the kids to do their homework whilst you’re whipping up dinner. You’ll need to design a layout...

Planning Permission is confusing, as precedent and policy vary borough to borough. Policy is also frequently updated, so staying on-top of the latest changes can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to working with local councils day to day. On top of this, there...

Wet rooms are becoming more and more popular as they are a brilliant way of achieving a high quality and compact bathroom space. Most of us are used to a traditional style bathroom so you may be cautious about venturing into new, unchartered territory. We...

If you are undertaking a home extension, it’s a fantastic time to refurbish other parts of the home. Floor finishes are a massive eye catcher and can really impact the way a space looks and feels so it’s really important that you dedicate some time...

Nothing completes a family like a furry friend. Whether you’re a dog or a cat person, there are always considerations to think about before starting on designing your home extension, especially in relation to how the family is going to adapt to the process and...

Privacy within the home is paramount and isn’t something you would necessarily consider when designing a home extension. Our clients are often keen to add lots of glass and glazing, but it’s important you keep in mind the repercussions of doing so. London in particular...

Moving home is not only expensive, but it’s also very stressful and disruptive. It’s no wonder more and more homeowners look towards home extensions to give them that extra bedroom, a larger bathroom or that multi-functional family kitchen. Whether you’re looking to do a small...

Most companies that offer a two-stage process will prioritise the build process over the architectural designs, leaving you with a design that you may not necessarily have chosen. At Build Team, we value both Design & Build equally – and we work hard to exceed...

One of the most exciting parts of your Design & Build journey will be choosing all of the materials and styles for your new space – from the colour of your walls to your new floor, there are thousands of choices at your disposal to...

As we move into the New Year, there is a spirit of new beginnings and the first week of January presents the perfect time to think about your New Year Resolutions. Whilst we love setting ourselves goals such as going to the gym regularly or...

Loft conversions are a great way of adding liveable space to your property as well as value. There are endless possibilities from what a loft space can become, with the most popular being an additional bedroom and ensuite. Both of these will add significant value...

Happy New Year! Our Design and Build Team can’t wait to get started on a multitude of new and exciting projects for 2018. We always think, what better time to get started on an extension than at the beginning of the year? In an industry...

The year of 2017 has been a year of celebration for the Build Team Group. The year kicked off our tenth year anniversary, and we are very proud to say that for over a decade we have helped homeowners across London transform their homes.
The year...

If you’re thinking about extending your kitchen, open plan living is ideal as you will be left with a generous room size that can be very multifunctional. Open plan living needs to be well thought out, as you don’t want to lose that much loved...

We often get asked by prospective clients how much does an extension actually cost, and our answer is always the same; the cost is dependent on the size and the design of the scheme. If you find yourself going for a large scheme and you...

Tis' the season to spend less time outdoors, and more time getting cosy in your home. Extensions offer a great opportunity to modernise your home, both visually (if that’s your preference) and also practicality. Most period-home owners come to realise older Victorian properties come a...

Loft conversions are a fantastic way to add an additional bedroom, bathroom, study or playroom and make effective use of a space that generally goes unused. When designing your loft conversion, it is important to consider the lighting design early in the process; the right...

We often have clients who want to start the build as soon as possible. Whether you’re counting down the days to a due date, or perhaps you want to finish your kitchen in time for Christmas, or you might be renting another property until the...

The Design & Build process is typically new to our clients, and we understand that it is our job to ensure that you (as the client) are well informed, and the project runs smoothly. You will receive dedicated support for both the Design & Build...

There are loads of ways to shape your new kitchen, and the most important thing is to ensure that it is comfortable to use; style should follow function. Of course there isn't a 'one style that fits all' model, so here are a few basic patterns...

Doors have come a long way during the past decade, both in style and functionality. They are generally designed to maximise natural light penetration, which is why they make a fantastic asset to a home extension.
The external garden doors will act as a focal point...

One question we are frequently asked is: Will my extension look like everyone else’s? Our answer: Absolutely not! You have endless options at your disposal when it comes to doors, windows, height, roof type, and materials – and this is just the shell extension. If...

Whether you’re intending to do a ground floor extension, loft conversion or a lower ground floor basement – it is very likely that glass will play a large part in your overall design, especially if you want to maximise natural daylight into your home. These...

A white base interior can brighten up a room, and create the illusion of more space. If you’re keen on a neutral colour scheme, this kind of design can be a fantastic start, and it remains extremely flexible and versatile throughout the decorating process.
So what...

Adding value, gaining more light and providing another living space for a growing family are all common reasons many of our clients choose to extend their home. Creating an open-plan space can provide all these assets and more. Open-plan living has become the dream for...

Adding value to your home whilst gaining additional space are two of the most exciting advantages of having a loft conversion built. Especially once you begin dreaming about what the new space could be; a kid’s playroom, a study or even an extra bedroom with...

Utility areas are great if you want to create a room to hide all of your clutter and unsightly items. Washing machines, tumble dryers and ironing boards require space and are generally awkward to hide away. You can hide them away in your kitchen, although...

Home extensions are often associated with growing families, but they are also a fantastic investment opportunity and don’t necessary need to revolve around you. Lots of our current clients live abroad or outside of London, and are currently extending their second homes as an investment,...

Homeowners undertake home extensions for various different reasons, but an increase in space is usually a common cause among clients. An increasing number of our clients are approaching us to ask about the feasibility of two storey extensions, so they can gain an extra bedroom...

Your choice of flooring will completely transform how your home will look. It requires a fair bit of thought as it often takes third place in the expense scale: the first being the shell of the extension, the second is typically your kitchen, and the...

When it comes to designing your extension there are lots of factors to consider; all of which impact the options available to you. For example, designing a home extension to a ground floor flat is very different the design for a full house. One of...

When undertaking an extension, clients often find it a great excuse to carry out the bits and bobs they’ve been meaning to do for years – for example internal bathroom refurbishments, hallways refurbishments, and replacing boilers. The boiler is a great example, as it’s likely...

Open plan living is not for everyone, and lots of people like the traditional feel of separate rooms which hold different functions. One advantage of open plan living is the uninterrupted light, as natural light has the freedom to penetrate every corner of the room....

The shape and style of your extension will make such a difference on your daily activity, so it’s important you revolve your design around you. It’s important to think about practicality when you design your home; it’s no use having a kitchen that is beautiful...

Summer feels like it is here at last and with it comes a host of new ideas for colour schemes within your home! Centred on sombre pastels and water colour palettes, these light touches of colour can revitalise any drab Winter-themed room and bring in...

You don’t have to spend a lot to have a fabulous extension – some of our favourite interior finishes have been within some of our budget projects!
There are two elements to think about when designing your extension. The first is the exterior shell – this...

When planning your kitchen, practicality should meet design. It is paramount to have a practical kitchen that is a joy to use but that does not mean that it cannot be stylish and designed with your personality in mind. Have a look at some ideas...

An interior brick wall can be considered a timeless treasure as well as an inherently interesting feature. It has a rustic, organic character not usually found internally and can suit both modern and stylish projects as well as traditional schemes equally well. Bricks became unfashionable...

A summer house gives you a secluded space in your garden, away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. If you’re looking for your own private hideaway it’s the perfect accompaniment to your extension. A versatile space in your garden open to a...

London has some pretty incredible views – they might not be seaside savvy or mountainous landscapes, but the city skyline is a hard one to beat. Roof terraces offer a fantastic opportunity to incorporate some sky-high views into your home; they can also be a...

No two extensions are the same. Trust us - we should know, having designed 500 home extensions across London over the past decade. Clients are often concerned that their extension will just be a typical, cookie cut design – but that is far from reality....

It’s easy to get wrapped up in all of the exciting design features when creating an extension – there are thousands of options at your disposal and it’s easy to forget about the functional, practical aspects. That is where our Design Team are here to...

Kitchen Shapes
Designing an extension offers you the opportunity to tap into your creativity and design the interior space to suit your personal style. The layout of your kitchen is very important as it’s a very functional space – looking pretty simply isn’t enough! It is...

Extractor Fans
We are frequently asked whether extractor fans are a necessity – as they are often large and bulky and don’t have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The answer is yes and your Building Control Officer will be looking out for your extractor fan. It’s not...

Chimney breasts were once a significant feature in traditional housing design. They were built with functionality in mind; to keep residents warm in the winter months by offering the opportunity to have a real fire. As central heating systems have become more efficient, the requirement...

Designing an extension offers the perfect opportunity to incorporate features that you’ve always loved. Exposing brick walls in your home can instantly change the style and atmosphere of the room. The popularity of these walls have sky rocketed in the past few months, and it’s...

Our Design Team believe that no person is the same, so no extension should be the same. Every single design we create is different; our team create tailor made designs, wholly specific to individual client needs and specifications. There are an endless world of possibilities...

Our prospective and current clients often assume that you can’t vary much in a Loft Design but the truth is there are a surprising amount of possibilities. The first question we ask our Design clients is what are you planning on using the new space...

Building an extension doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think – it’s all about prioritisation and figuring out if you want to spend a little more on certain aspects. We would recommend investing a little more in your kitchen, as this is...

We find that our clients choose to extend for many different reasons - some want a dining area, others want more natural light; flats usually want an extra bedroom. One of the most common reasons is the growing demand for a larger kitchen and it’s...

Your boundary wall height will affect your roof design, as lower boundary walls prefer a pitched roof to make the design practical. Higher boundary walls offer you more flexibility, as you’re free to choose from either a pitched or flat roof design.
Making a decision on...

Having a WC on your ground floor is not only convenient, but it can increase your property value by about £10,000. One question that our clients frequently ask is how they can incorporate a WC into their design, without detracting from the extended space. The...

Storage is often overlooked as it’s not something which is particularly exciting during the Design process. While it’s not that exciting, it is extremely practical and deserves some thought when you’re thinking about the layout of your room.
You have lots of options when it comes...

Add Space and Value
There are endless benefits to extending your home, and the immediate ones that come to mind tend to be visual; you’ll have more light, you can design your kitchen around you and your family, you can create more efficient functionality in your...

One of the advantages of carrying out an extension are the choices you have at your disposal – you can completely tailor your design to your taste and budget. Just because you go for a low cost option doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your...

Your garden has a huge impact on your kitchen as it can influence the level of natural light and ambience within the room. A kitchen extension is usually quite a drastic redesign of the rear of the property, and can cause quite an upheaval to...

The kitchen is the focal point of your home and is often the only room which is consistently used by the entire family. It’s such an integral part of the home, it’s important to put functionality at the forefront of your specification. The layout options...

When you’re designing your Extension, it’s important to think about what you want to gain from the space. This will vary depending on your day to day lifestyle; however one factor that repeatedly arises with all of our clients is Light. When we say light,...

Open plan living has become popular in modern day living, particularly in homes where space is valuable. If you’re thinking about extending your kitchen, open plan living is an ideal choice because you’re likely to be left with a very generous finished room size. This...

Summer is in the air! The sun is shining and the BBQ’s are being dusted off – so what better time to think about making the most out of your garden and kitchen? When designing an extension, we always encourage our clients to think about...

There are two important design considerations that we encourage all of our clients to think about during the Design Process. The first is the obvious one; the ‘shell’, which is anything to do with the structure of the extension (ie. windows / doors / chimney...

For most of us, Design is at the forefront of our minds and we initially think about how something is going to look, and we forget about functionality. Underfloor heating is, in particular, important to think about early on because it effectiveness can vary depending...

If you’re thinking about extending, you should think about how you want your new space to interact with your existing property. One thing you should think about is what you want to do with the room that sits behind your existing kitchen, which is typically...

The traditional ‘Garage’ seems to be going out of fashion, as homeowners are realising the potential of what might otherwise be used as dead space. A typical garage spans 3 x 6m, which is a huge area, especially when you consider how the space could...

The reason for extending is usually quite simple; you want more space in your home. While reasons for the additional space vary massively, we do find that lots of our clients want to accommodate their growing families. We thought we would put together some helpful...

Depending on your design options and personal preference, you might need to find a way to get natural light through to the room that sits behind your kitchen. This is a common obstacle for designs that want to avoid knocking through that internal rear wall...

Loft conversions are a great way to add space to your property and make the most of the space you have available. The most common design option is to add a bedroom and a bathroom. Adding a bedroom can add 9 to 10 per cent...

You shouldn’t underestimate the impact your outdoor space will have on your new indoor space, particularly if you are opting for lots of glass and bi-fold doors. Many of our clients choose to redesign their garden while they are redesigning their kitchen extension, mostly because...

For many of you, having the opportunity to design an extension will be the first time you are offered the opportunity to design a living space exactly around you and your lifestyle.
The layout of your extension is completely yours to design and should be suited...

When designing your kitchen extension, you should ask yourself this question: How do I want the space to look when it’s finished? The answer to this question requires some thought about your interior design.
Many people associate ‘interior design’ with a bit of paint or some...

An open plan design is a great way to create a large multi-functional space and it’s an obvious favourite for our past and current clients. Not only does this design option utilise all of the space available, but it also encourages the flow of natural...

When designing your extension, you need to consider how to shape your new space. The two most popular kitchen extension roof types are pitched or flat and each one offers different advantageous qualities. The type of roof also guides your options on what kind of windows you can...

Exposed brick is a rising star among interior decoration – with our last two builds, and an on-going build incorporating it into their design. When designing your kitchen extension, it is key to consider your interior space and what look you want to create.
What is...

Adding a utility space is a great way to abolish clutter and unsightly items from your living space. It’s also a fantastic solution as it makes use of the space towards the back of the kitchen area that usually struggles to find a strong source...

The kitchen is often considered to be the heart of the home, particularly in open plan living. In a space that’s used both to prepare food as well as socialise, the design of your kitchen extension is an important aspect to consider. Kitchens should be...

We are often asked whether an extension is a worthwhile investment on a flat or on a home where the size of the extended space looks to be rather small in comparison to others. Regardless of the size of your home or the side return area,...

Taking the time to think about the design of your kitchen is key to creating a comfortable and efficient space for you and your family to enjoy. Usually placed at the heart of the extension, a kitchen island is an attractive feature, as well as...

If you’re planning a home extension, it’s safe to say that space is at the forefront of your objective. It is important to seek professional advice from your designer and think carefully about your design to ensure that your new space meets your requirements and...

There are plenty of articles available online that offer advice on home renovations. From counter top finishes to the material of your light fittings, no detail is too small when it comes to designing your ideal space. It is important to dedicate time and thought...

There are several ways in which the space created through a loft conversion can be used, for example as an additional bedroom, bathroom, study or playroom. We have found that the two most popular uses are as a bathroom or bedroom, which is understandable as...

London is one of the most expensive places to live in the world, and the cost is rising. House prices are expected to rise by as much as 5% during this year alone, getting onto the property ladder can be challenging for first time buyers. However, it’s...

When dreaming of your perfect side return extension, it is highly unlikely that your visions include a WC area or a utility space; they’re hardly spaces which feature highly on anyone’s list when thinking about their dream house!
Although WC and utility spaces are not areas many of us...

Spring is finally upon us; days are longer and the sun seems to be making more frequent appearances. Now is the time to start tending to your garden to prepare for a summer of relaxing and entertaining.
When carrying out a side return extension, it is...

Most of us would agree that we want more space in our homes, whether it is for more bedrooms, storage or more living space.
A cellar conversion is one way to make use of a redundant space you may have available; turning it into something which...

We are often asked by prospective clients whether it is worth carrying out a loft conversion and a side return extension. Both are worth considering if you want to increase the size of your home, as they make use of space which is usually left...

We are often asked by clients to advise on the of different entrances they should have into their side return. The number of entrances should really be based upon practicality and preference. From a practicality perspective, consider your current home layout and how the design...

When planning the kitchen for your Side Return Extension one consideration is which worktop to specify. What constitutes the ‘best’ in kitchen worktops is relative and is often a question many of our clients ask.
Truthfully, there is no ‘best’, as all have their pros and...

When it comes to choosing the material for the floor of your side return extension, there are many factors you should take into consideration. The aesthetic appeal, practical elements and heat retentive qualities are all important variables. Let’s take a look at three of the...

If you’re thinking about doing a side return or kitchen extension, it’s well worth considering redesigning your garden to compliment your new build. Your outdoor area has a substantial impact on the indoors, affecting the lighting, colour and the overall atmosphere of a property.
Pamela Johnson...

London residents seem to have a constant battle with space, whether it’s indoor or outdoor. Adding an extension is a brilliant way to add space and value to your home and, contrary to popular belief; extending out doesn’t have to reduce your from your outdoor...

Once you have made the decision to build a side return extension, it’s important to think about the layout of your kitchen. Modern kitchens are now the heart of the home, and are no longer just used for food preparation, but also for eating, entertaining...

Many of our clients ask us how we can construct a side return extension and still keep the character of their Victorian house. This project in Chiswick is a good example. We incorporated a Victorian style bay window with doors leading out to the back...

Do you have a drink problem? Sorry, let me rephrase that. Do you have a problem where to store your wine collection due to a lack of space in the house? This is an increasingly common predicament especially in London's Victorian terraced houses.
Every year we...

Estate Agents get all excited about storage space when showing prospective clients around a house. In their opinion, you can never have too much storage space. Are you drowning in clutter? Beginning to think that maybe they've got a point? Here are a few ideas...

When designing your new side return extension, give some thought to heating and privacy. There are many options for both issues - here are some:
HEATING
To keep the new extra space nice and snug, you will need to add additional heating to that area. Yes you...

Advances in Technology have not all just been about mobiles, televisions, cars and computers. Now it’s the turn of kitchen equipment, or more specifically the tap. In its simplest form the boiling water tap can simply be a useful addition to your existing kitchen sink...